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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the Shepherd gang's whistle mean?

2. Why do the greasers sneak into the drive-in?

3. What major event happens in the park that is a turning point in the story?

4. Why are there children at the church in Chapter 6?

5. What are Ponyboy and Johnny looking at when Ponyboy recites the line "Nothing gold can stay"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What things are Ponyboy thinking about as he sits at the drive-in?

2. What is Ponyboy's reaction to cutting and dyeing his hair?

3. What strikes Johnny about the characters in Gone With The Wind?

4. What injuries do Ponyboy and Johnny sustain in the fire?

5. What happens when Cherry and Marcia's boyfriends show up as they are walking from the drive-in with the greasers?

6. How do Johnny and Ponyboy realize that they are not alone at the park?

7. Describe the park that Johnny and Ponyboy go to in Chapter 4.

8. Describe the major event that occurs in Chapter 4 and how is a turning point in the novel.

9. What two differences does Cherry point out between the greasers and the Socs?

10. What do Johnny and Ponyboy do in the vacant lot?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the plot elements of The Outsiders. Identify the impetus for the story, major events, climax, and denouement.

Essay Topic 2

Describe how the characters in the novel are united by a sense of belonging or wanting to belong. How is Johnny's story specifically reflective of this?

Essay Topic 3

What message is implied at the end of the novel? Is the story intended to inspire hope? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 660 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample